EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

OVERVIEW

Experience the thrill of visiting Reykjavik’s “Big Three” scenic wonders – Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir Geothermal Area and Thingvellir National Park – all on one excursion. Arrayed along a route known as the Golden Circle, this trio pretty much singlehandedly fills the bucket list of Icelandic natural phenomena. Rolling along via comfortable panoramic coach, you’ll encounter vast lava fields, a greenhouse community warmed by hot springs and fertile South Iceland farmland – and that’s just en route to your first stop of the day. Two-tiered Gullfoss Waterfall is one of Iceland’s most beautiful and iconic sights, its vast water volume plummeting down over 100 feet into a river gorge. It’s a tough act to follow, but the hyperactive star geyser at aptly named Geysir Geothermal Area spouting off 65-foot jets of boiling hot water every few minutes might just do the trick. You’ll see other geysers here too, though the granddaddy of them all, Geysir itself, has been resting of late. Appetite sated after a two-course lunch with the soup of the day and salmon at a local restaurant, you’ll make your way to UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park, a dramatic rift valley where the Earth’s North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet – and where the Icelandic parliament first met over a 1,000 years ago.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel the Golden Circle and visit three of Iceland’s most revered natural wonders in a single day.
• See and hear the roar of magnificent Gullfoss Waterfall as it plunges over 100 feet into its river gorge.
• Watch Strokkur geyser erupt in a 7-story steaming jet like clockwork at Geysir Geothermal Area.
• Visit Thingvellir National Park, where two continents collide and the world’s longest running parliament convened for over 800 years.
• Enjoy a nourishing break from all these landmarks over buffet lunch at an Icelandic restaurant.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Join us on an orientation spin through Reykjavik, highlighting must-see landmarks like the Pearl, the president’s home and the University of Iceland. You’ll discover Iceland’s capital is both a cosmopolitan city and a small town, a place of vibrancy and quietude, of innovative architecture and untamed nature. In the Laugardalur valley you’ll see where the city plays, and out in rural Bessastadir, the estate where the country’s president lives. You’ll survey Reykjavik’s colorful old quarter and pass by Hofdi House, where Reagan and Gorbachev held their historic 1986 confab that ended the Cold War. You will also catch a glimpse of the Árbær Open Air Museum with its traditional farm and village buildings relocated from all over Iceland, and at Tjornin, admire the lake that brings tranquility and ducks to the center of town. You’ll crane your neck at majestic Hallgrimskirkja Church, its iconic tower soaring high above the city. But perhaps the most impressive Reykjavik sight of all with be the views you enjoy from the Pearl, a glittering hilltop dome. The town looks spectacular from up here.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a time-efficient, comprehensive introduction to Reykjavik and its most essential sights.
• Travel the city in relaxed comfort via panoramic coach, stopping for a closer look at key landmarks.
• See the town lake, the city’s sporting grounds, the country’s university and its president’s house.
• Capture breathtaking vistas from the Pearl, and historic selfies at the house where the Cold War ended.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear warm, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Fly high over the Reykjanes Peninsula in a helicopter for a bird’s-eye view of the crater-dotted volcanically formed landscape below. As you soar over the peninsula, you will get a good sense of the topography that continuous geothermal activity has shaped. It won’t be long before you are looking down on the Seltún hot springs, whose boiling mud pools and steam vents have stained the soil bright yellow, red and green. The crater lake Grænavatn – which is Icelandic for “green water” – is an even brighter shade. Then, there is the Blue Lagoon, whose geothermally heated seawater is rich in minerals that contribute to its silky blue color. One of the highlights will be touching down at Eldvörp so you can explore the long row of craters and spatter cones where steam continues to rise from fissures in the ground. A series of 13th-century volcanic eruptions known as the Reykjanes Fires formed this otherworldly landscape.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Take an exhilarating helicopter ride over the volcanically sculpted Reykjanes Peninsula.
• Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of volcanic craters and highly active geothermal areas.
• See how hissing steam vents have turned the soil bright colors.
• Pass over a volcanically formed green lake and the geothermally heated Blue Lagoon.
• Touch down at Eldvörp, a bizarre landscape that 13th-century volcanic eruptions formed.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Reykjavik, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie tutor will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Selfie sticks are available complemented by a convenient photo frame, enabling you to capture, share, and post the best pictures in the future.

As you walk and ride through Reykjavik, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Höfdi House
• Sun Voyager sculpture
• Harpa Concert Hall
• Tjörnin Lake
• Rainbow Street
• Hallgrimskirkja Church

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Reykjavik.
• Follow tips from your selfie tutor to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Pose at Höfdi House, where a summit was held that helped end the Cold War.
• Stand before the gleaming steel Sun Voyager sculpture at the harbor.
• Walk along Rainbow Street, a vibrantly colored pedestrianized road lined with shops.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Be sure your phone or camera is fully charged.

OVERVIEW

Go birding in a rigid inflatable boat or RIB specifically designed for navigating seas much like those that you will encounter off Reykjavik. The boat can cover a wide area quickly and maneuver effortlessly, allowing you to get as close as possible to the islands. Auks and gannets are commonly seen flying overhead and nesting in the sea cliffs. The guide will identify the birds and provide entertaining commentary about their behaviors. Puffins tend to be the showstoppers as these black-and-white birds sport bright-orange beaks and feet that make them exceptionally photogenic. Often called “sea parrots,” puffins spend most of their lives on the water. They are also skilled flyers, reaching speeds up to 55 miles per mile, which is surprising in light of their rather stout appearance. To enhance the viewing experience, the captain will turn off the engine at times, allowing you and the birds to enjoy the setting undisturbed.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Cruise the islands off Reykjavik in a rigid inflatable boat known more familiarly as an RIB.
• Enjoy the limited passenger capacity, which allows for a more personal experience.
• Keep an eye out for seabirds such as auks and gannets in the seaside cliffs.
• Look for puffins, which are more common in Iceland than anywhere else in the world.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore the capital city of Iceland with a focus on the small community of Jews that live in Reykjavik. A panoramic drive through downtown will provide an intriguing introduction to the Icelandic culture and a walking tour afterwards will add texture to your understanding of the city, the country’s largest. Despite the size of Reykjavik, there are only a few hundred people in the Jewish community. The first Jews were likely traders that arrived in the 1600s, but they didn’t permanently settle in Iceland until centuries later. It wasn’t until 2021 that Judaism was even officially registered as a religion in Iceland. While visiting the Jewish Center of Iceland, you will learn much more about the history of Judaism in Reykjavik, the difficulties that Jews have faced over the years and how life has changed for the positive. The rabbi will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for a panoramic drive through Reykjavik, followed by an enlightening walk downtown.
• Learn about the history of Judaism in Iceland and the country’s small population of Jews.
• Meet a rabbi at the Jewish Center of Iceland and enjoy a frank discussion of Jewish life.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Soak in the geothermally heated, mineral-rich waters of the Blue Lagoon, an experience that will leave you completely relaxed and may even impart therapeutic benefits. The manmade lagoon lies in the middle of a centuries-old black lava field. A nearby power plant is the source of the lagoon’s heated water, which is completely chemical free and renews itself every 48 hours. Minerals in the water contribute to its silky blue color. Soaking in the water is extraordinarily relaxing as the temperature remains between 99° and 102° Fahrenheit. The minerals in the waters may provide therapeutic benefits as they are hailed for reducing pain and stiffness from arthritis. The silica in the water helps to cleanse and strengthen the skin, giving it a healthy radiant glow. The water is also said to naturally heal skin conditions. After soaking, you might take advantage of the other amenities, including the spa and restaurants.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Ease into the geothermally heated waters of the Blue Lagoon for a relaxing soak.
• Reap the rewards of water’s therapeutic benefits that may relieve pain and cleanse the skin.
• Opt for a spa treatment and a snack on your own after soaking if you wish.
• Arrive at the airport in plenty of time to catch your flight.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover how renewable energies are harnessed along the Golden Circle, one of the most extraordinarily scenic roads in Iceland. At the massive Hellisheiði power plant, you will see how volcanic geothermal energy is used to supply all but a fraction of Reykjavik’s power. You will also gain an understanding of how waste CO2 from the steam is stored underground to prevent it from escaping back into the atmosphere. Next you will visit the Friðheimar tomato farm where you will enjoy a fresh tomoato soup and newly baked bread. You will then continue for a photostop at the Ljósafossvirkjun hydroelectric power plant. A hydroelectric plant was proposed at the glorious Gullfoss waterfall, as well, until an environmentalist stepped in. You will be awed by its pristine natural beauty and that of the Pingvellir National Park. Still, Iceland is committed to alternative power sources, especially using geothermal energy to heat greenhouses. You will see the force of that power at Geysir, where columns of boiling water spew high into the air.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive along the Golden Circle, one of the most picturesque roads in all of Iceland.
• View two power plants—one of them geothermal, the other hydroelectric.
• Learn how waste CO2 can be safely stored underground for millions of years.
• Watch columns of geothermally heated water spew into the air at Geysir.
• Visit two pristine natural attractions—Gullfoss waterfall and Pingvellir National Park.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Discover how the former fishing village of Reykjavik has evolved since the beginning of the 20th century to become the dynamic capital of Iceland. While walking through Old Town – nicknamed 101 for its postal code – you will likely see a number of 18th-century houses and perhaps the Parliament building on Austruvöllur Square, which lies across the street from the cathedral, and the Harpa Concert Hall whose striking honeycomb design is unmistakable. The hilltop church Hallgrímskirkja is more iconic than the cathedral as it is the tallest building in Reykjavik and dominates the skyline. The church is named in honor of one of Iceland’s greatest poets and out front you will see a statue of Leif Erikson, the Norse explorer who is thought to have sailed to North America around the year 1,000. For a look at modern Reykjavik, you will enjoy an exterior visit of the Perlan, which features an observation deck that encircles the museum’s futuristic-looking dome.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through the Old Town of Reykjavik, which is actually a very young city.
• Browse Hallgrímskirkja church, the city’s tallest and most recognizable building.
• Enjoy an external view of the late 20th-century Perlan Museum and learn about its construction history.
• Admire the cutting-edge design of the 21st-century Harpa concert hall.
• Come away with a clear understanding of how Reykjavik’s urban landscape has evolved.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy an enlightening overview of Reykjavik while driving through downtown before turning your attention to how volcanoes have impacted local life. You will pass landmarks such as the elegant Parliament House, majestic Hallgrimskirkja Church and the house where Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev famously held a summit regarding nuclear disarmament. Southwest of town on the Reykjanes peninsula, you will find the Krysuvik Geothermal Area, an otherworldly landscape of bubbling mud pools and hissing steam vents. As spectacular as these geothermal sights are, few experiences can rival seeing Raufarhólshellir, a lengthy lava tube that a volcanic eruption created 5,200 years ago. It will be eye-opening to understand the power of volcanoes and how they can dramatically change the landscape. You will enjoy a more entertaining look at these natural phenomena at the world’s only live lava show. You will sit so close to real molten lava that you can hear it sizzling and feel its intense heat.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pass many of Reykjavik’s most representative landmarks while driving through the capital.
• Behold boiling mud pools and hissing steam vents at the Krysuvik Geothermal Area.
• View a long lava tube that a volcanic eruption created millennia ago.
• Watch a dramatic performance of the world’s only live lava show.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Behold three breathtaking natural wonders within the Golden Circle, at times while riding in a monster truck designed to drive through snow and ice. The 8-wheeled truck – named Sleipnir in honor of Odin’s mythological 8-legged horse – will take you across Langjökull Glacier, the second-largest mass of ice in Iceland. It will be an extraordinary adventure as you will drive over a glacial terrain that other vehicles simply can’t negotiate. Along the way, you will stop for a closer look at highlights such as the roaring waterfall Gullfoss, where you will re-board the original motor coach. You will next visit Geysir, a geothermal area with dozens of hot springs and geysers heated by the vast boiling cauldron that lies below the surface. Following lunch, you will settle in for a scenic drive to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site where the world’s first parliament assembled in 930 AD.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Drive the Golden Circle, an immensely scenic route with abundant natural attractions
• Travel across a massive glacier in a powerful monster truck that can handle the terrain.
• Stop at Gullfoss and feel the power of the glacier-fed waterfall as it thunders down.
• See dozens of hot springs and geysers, some of them spewing water high into the air.
• View the gorgeous national park where the world’s first parliament assembled in 930 AD.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Follow a guide along a winding, immensely picturesque trail that leads to the top of Úlfarsfell, a smallish mountain that lies due east of Reykjavik. Although several trails crisscross the slopes, you will hike one of medium difficulty that covers just over two miles. Along the way, you will make stops to rest, gaze out over the gorgeous scenery and listen to the guide’s enlightening commentary. The higher you ascend, the more spectacular the views. You will see a sister mountain to the north, Faxaflói Bay to the west and the Reykanes peninsula stretching out to the south. If it is a clear day, you can spot glacier capped Snæfellsjokull volcano in the distance. Being so close to Reykjavik, Mount Úlarsfell is a popular hike and you will likely encounter quite a few other people on the trail. If you see purple-tufted wildflowers along the trail, they are probably arctic lupines.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike to the top of Mount Úlfarsfell, a small mountain on the outskirts of Reykjavik.
• Enjoy sweeping views of Reykjavik and the surrounding natural beauty.
• Hear commentary that describes the sights below during stops to rest.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.